Toothbrush having a vibrating head part

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush includes a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source, a head carrying a brush, and a neck between the handle and the head. The head or neck includes a mechanical motorized vibratory device, which causes the head to vibrate. Electrical connections are operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. In various embodiments, a switch may be operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical motorized vibratory device. In various embodiments, a vibration-damming structure dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application PCT/CH00/00563 and of patent applications in Germany Nos. 199 50 204.8 filed 19 Oct. 1999 and 299 19 053.6 filed 3 Nov. 1999 for which priority is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a toothbrush according to the drawings wherein a toothbrush includes an electrically powered vibrating head.

For teeth-cleaning purposes nowadays use is made either of conventional manual toothbrushes or of electric toothbrushes, in the case of which a movable brush head can be motor-driven from the handle. Electric toothbrushes usually achieve a more intensive cleaning action than the manual toothbrushes, but they have the disadvantage that they are relatively bulky and expensive and may damage the gums and subject the tooth enamel to pronounced abrasion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective toothbrush which corresponds, in size, approximately to the conventional manual toothbrushes and nevertheless allows a better cleaning action than the latter.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a toothbrush having the features of including a vibrating toothbrush head part and a power supply therefor in the handle.

Since a mechanical vibratory device which causes the head part to vibrate is accommodated in a front head part of the toothbrush, or in a neck-part region adjacent to the head part, said neck part connecting the head part to the handle, and is operatively connected to a power source, accommodated in the handle, via electrical connections running in the neck part, vibration-damming means preferably being provided in order to prevent vibration transmission to the handle, this achieves the situation where the vibrations which effect the improved cleaning action are produced predominantly in the head part and can only be felt to a slight extent in the handle, as a result of which comfortable handling of the toothbrush is achieved. A further advantage of the toothbrush according to the invention is that there is no need for any mechanical drive means to be led through the flexible neck part to the vibratory device. It is merely the electrical connections, designed as wires, cables or electrically conductive plastic tracks, which run through the neck part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred developments of the toothbrush according to the invention form the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which, purely schematically:

FIG. 1 shows a side view, partially in section, of a first exemplary embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention and of a handle-closure part separated from one another (without a battery);

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view, partially in section, of a second exemplary embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention in the assembled state;

FIG. 3 shows a side view, partially in section, of the toothbrush according to FIG. 2 and the closure part separated from one another (without a battery);

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention in the assembled state; and

FIG. 5A shows a front part of the toothbrush according to FIG. 4 with an exchangeable treatment head.

FIGS. 5B-D show different embodiments of exchangeable treatment heads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Both the toothbrush illustrated in FIG. 1 and that according to FIGS. 2 and 3 each have a handle 1, a front bristle-carrying head part 3 and a neck part 4, which connects the head part 3 to the handle 1. The bristles combined to form clusters of bristles 6 are anchored in a bristle carrier 5 and form an optionally profiled brushing surface with their free ends. In the embodiment illustrated, the bristles carrier 5 with the clusters of bristles 6 is positioned, in a manner which is known per se and thus is not described in any more detail, on a retaining part 2 of the head part 3 such that it van be exchanged.

The neck part 4 is provided with neck-part zones 7 which are made of an elastically relatively compliant material component and provide for, or additionally increase, the elasticity of the neck part 4, with the result that, during use of the toothbrush, the bristle-carrying head part 3 can be forced back resiliently in the case of forces acting in the direction of the brushing surface. If appropriate, the neck-part zones 7 are designed as notches which extend over part of the neck circumference and are filled with elastically compliant material (e.g. with thermoplastic elastomer). Of course, it would also be quite conceivable for the form and number of neck-part zones to be different. It is also conceivable to have a flexible neck zone without using elastic material components, e.g. by providing constrictions or by way of a bellows.

Integrated in the front head part 3, or in that region of the neck part 4 which is adjacent to the head part 3, is a mechanical vibratory device 10, by means of which vibrations which effect or enhance the teeth-cleaning action may be imparted to the bristle-carrying head part 3. The vibratory device 10 can be connected to an electric power source, accommodated in the handle 1, via electrical connections running in the neck part 4, as is described hereinbelow. The already mentioned neck-part zones 7 made of an elastically compliant material act here as means which damp the vibration between the vibrating head part 3 and the handle 1, with the result that the vibratory action is produced, in particular, in the head part and is only transmitted to the handle 1 to a slight extent. This means that only slight vibrations can be felt in the handle 1 during the teeth-cleaning operation, and the toothbrush is thus comfortable to handle. Conversely, however, it is also advantageous that the vibration produced is not damped by the handle 1 and can act to full effect in the head part 3. Instead of the neck-part zones 7 consisting of elastically compliant material, however, other vibration-damming means would also be conceivable; it is not absolutely necessary to use an elastic material. The damming may also be achieved, using a basic material, by the neck part being configured in a particular form, for example by the presence of a bellows/accordion part, etc.

Accommodated in the handle 1 is a sheath or sleeve 20 which extends in the longitudinal direction of said handle and is made of electrically conductive material. Both the handle 1 and the sleeve 20 are open to the rear, this forming a cavity 21 which can be closed from the rear by a closure part 22 and into which it is possible to insert a battery 25, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated a commercially available, non-rechargeable cylindrical battery, with a defined power (e.g. 1.5 V) as the power source for the vibratory device 10. It would also be possible, however, for a button cell or for a rechargeable storage battery to be used as the power source.

A spring contact 29 for the positive pole 30 of the battery 25 (see FIG. 2) is fitted in the sleeve 20, on a transverse wall 28, and is connected to the vibratory device 10 via an electric line 31, a switch 32, which is installed in the sleeve 20 and can be actuated from the outside of the handle 1, and an electric line 33 running in the neck part 4. The electrical connection can be interrupted by means of the switch 32.

The closure part 22 is provided with a threaded stub 22 a made of an electrically conductive material and can be screwed into the handle 1 and/or into the sleeve 20 by way of said threaded stub. The threaded stub 22 a is provided with a contact surface 22 b which, with the closure part 22 screwed in, comes into abutment against the negative pole 35 of the battery 25 inserted into the sleeve 20. The negative pole 35 is electrically connected to the vibratory device 10 via the threaded stub 22 a, the sleeve 20 itself and a line 34, which connects the sleeve 20 to the vibratory device 10 and runs in the neck part 4.

Instead of being transmitted via the electrically conductive sleeve 20, it would also be possible for the power from the negative pole 35 to be transmitted in some other way, for example using wires or an electrically conductive plastic.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the vibratory device 10 comprises a vibratory element 11′ which functions preferably in the manner of a vibratory armature, can be electrically connected directly to the power source via the lines 33, 34 and, with the power source connected, is made to vibrate.

In the case of the toothbrush variant illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vibratory device 10 comprises a vibratory element 11 in the form of an eccentric, which produces mechanical vibrations and can be rotated about an axis located in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush, and also comprises a drive which is arranged directly adjacent and is designed as a micromotor 15. The vibratory element 11 is connected to the shaft 15 a of the micromotor 15, which can be electrically connected to the power source via the lines 33, 34. The micromotor 15 and the eccentric may be accommodated as a structural unit in a housing 12.

Instead of an eccentric which can be driven in rotation, it would also be possible to have a vibratory element 11 which can be driven in a translatory manner.

It would be possible, in the case of the toothbrush according to the invention, to arrange the bristle-carrying head part 3 such that it can be moved in relation to the neck part 4 in order for the latter, in the case of vibrations produced by means of the vibratory device 10, to be made to move in relation to the rest of the toothbrush.

The electric lines 31, 33, 34 could also be realized by electricity-conducting plastic tracks.

The switch 32, which connects or interrupts the lines 31, 33, may also be, for example, a magnetic switch.

The preferred configuration of the switch 32, however, contains a pulse switch arranged on a printed circuit board as well as further electronic components which store the switching state.

It is also possible, however, for the electrical connection between the battery 25 and the vibratory element 11′ (FIG. 1) or the drive 15 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to be produced or interrupted not by the switch 32, but by the closure part 22, which can be screwed into the handle 1 and/or into the sleeve 20 or connected to the same in a bayonet-like manner, being turned (i.e. the switch 32 is dispensed with in the case of such a configuration).

Instead of the rear closure part 22 being screwed to the handle 1, it would, of course, also be possible to have some other type of releasable connection (e.g. plug-in connection, bayonet connection, etc.) and a corresponding configuration of the contact part interacting with the negative pole 35.

It would also be possible for the closure part 22 to be in a form which is quite different to that illustrated in the drawing. For example, the closure part could be provided with a set-down surface or a foot part and thus serve as an element on which the toothbrush can be set down.

The toothbrush illustrated in FIG. 4 corresponds essentially to that according to FIGS. 2 and 3; the same parts, once again, have the same designations. According to FIG. 4, the vibratory device 10 is arranged directly in the front head part 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 20 is dispensed with; the battery 25 is connected directly to the vibratory device 10 via the lines 33, 34. It is also the case with this toothbrush that use is preferably made of an exchangeable bristle carrier 5 which can be positioned on a retaining part 2 of the head part 3, e.g. in the manner of a snap-in connection. The capacity for changing the bristle carrier 5 provided with the clusters of bristles 6 is particularly advantageous since the toothbrush provided with the vibratory device 10 can be used irrespective of the service life of the bristles, which is usually even shorter than the service life of the battery 25.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, it is possible, instead of the bristle carrier 5 or 5 a, which forms part of a conventional brush head and is provided with respective clusters of bristles 6 or 6 a, to position other, optionally different bristle carriers or adapters 5 b to 5 d on the retaining part 2, these being provided with different interdental brushes 6 b, 6 c or interdental treatment parts 6 d for effective cleaning of the spaces between the teeth. The interdental brush 6 b may be designed, for example, as a helical brush made of coated wire with plastic filaments twisted in. The interdental brush 6 c comprises bristles which, together, form a cluster tip. The treatment part 6 d may be designed, for example, as a plastic element which has a tip and may preferably be provided with an abrasive coating for removing plaque and tartar from the spaces between the teeth. Of course, it would also be possible to use any other desired treatment heads.

It is also the case with the variant according to FIGS. 4 and 5 that the bristle carrier 5 could be configured such that a vibration-induced movement in relation to the retaining part 2 were possible.

For the introduction of the vibratory device 10, the connecting lines 33, 34 and further electronic components, it is possible for the toothbrush according to the invention, or the housing thereof, to be produced in two parts and for the two parts to be welded in a water-tight manner once the abovementioned parts have been positioned therein.

It is also possible, however, for the toothbrush according to the invention to be produced by injection molding preferably involving two or more components. The abovementioned parts are advantageously positioned as a unit in an injection molding made of a first material component and then encapsulated in the second material component (or in the further material component) by injection molding. It is not necessary here for full encapsulation to take place. Certain parts may be exposed, as a result of which it is possible to achieve an esthetic effect.

It would also be possible, however, for the abovementioned electronic components to be inserted into a ready molded handle 1.

Since it is not only the vibratory element 11, 11′ itself but also the drive, i.e. the micromotor 15, which are arranged in the front head part 3, or in the directly adjacent front region of the neck part 4, it is not necessary for any mechanical drive means to be led through the flexible neck part 4 in order to connect the micromotor to the vibratory element 11. It is only the electric lines 33, 34 (wires, cables or electrically conductive plastic tracks) which run through the neck part 4.

According to the invention, use is made of a mechanical vibratory device 10 which has a diameter of less than 15 mm, preferably less than 6 mm, and is less than 35 mm, preferably less than 20 mm, in length. This ensures that the toothbrush may be of ergonomic configuration and is easy to handle. The toothbrush according to the invention corresponds, in size, more or less to the conventional manual toothbrushes, which makes them more straightforward to handle in comparison with the commercially available, considerably larger electric toothbrushes, even though this toothbrush achieves a cleaning action which is comparable with that of the known electric toothbrushes, but is gentler than the latter. Moreover, the toothbrush according to the invention is straightforward and cost-effective to produce.

It is nevertheless also possible for the vibratory device according to the invention to be integrated in conventional electric toothbrushes. 

What is claimed is:
 1. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck and having an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located; and electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections.
 2. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein the motorized vibratory device has a diameter of less than 6 mm.
 3. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein the neck includes at least one vibration-damming zone comprising an elastically compliant material.
 4. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein the motorized vibratory device has a vibratory element drivable by the drive, the drive being arranged directly adjacent to the vibratory element.
 5. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein the vibratory device comprises an eccentric body that can be rotated about said axis.
 6. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein the motorized vibratory device has a vibrating element including a vibratory armature that forms the drive electrically connected to the power source to make the bead vibrate.
 7. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein the motorized vibratory device including the drive is located in the neck.
 8. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, further comprising a switch operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical motorized vibratory device, wherein the handle includes a cavity open to the rear of the toothbrush handle that is closable by a rear cover, and the cover has a rotative connection to the handle that provides actuation of the switch.
 9. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle includes a cavity, the power source is an exchangeable battery insertable into the cavity, the electrical connections are configured for electrical connection with the battery, and the cavity contains a sleeve which is made of electrically conductive material and which is open to the rear and can be closed from the rear by a cover.
 10. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein the motorized vibratory device has a vibratory element including a vibratory armature that forms the drive.
 11. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in the neck; and electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections.
 12. The toothbrush as recited in claim 11, wherein the motorized vibratory device has a diameter of less than 6 mm.
 13. The toothbrush as recited in claim 11, further comprising a vibration-damming structure that dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.
 14. The toothbrush as recited in claim 11, wherein the neck includes at least one vibration-damming zone comprising an elastically compliant material.
 15. The toothbrush as recited in claim 11, wherein the motorized vibratory device has a vibratory element drivable by the drive, the drive being arranged directly adjacent to the vibratory element.
 16. The toothbrush as recited in claim 11, wherein the vibratory device comprises an eccentric body that can be rotated about an axis of the drive.
 17. The toothbrush as recited in claim 11, wherein the motorized vibratory device has a vibrating element including a vibratory armature that forms the drive electrically connected to the power source to make the head vibrate.
 18. The toothbrush as recited in claim 11, wherein the drive has an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located.
 19. The toothbrush as recited in claim 11, further comprising a switch operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical motorized vibratory device, wherein the handle includes a cavity open to the rear of the toothbrush handle that is closable by a rear cover, and the cover has a rotative connection to the handle that provides actuation of the switch.
 20. The toothbrush as recited in claim 11, wherein the handle includes a cavity, the power source is an exchangeable battery insertable into the cavity, the electrical connections are configured for electrical connection with the battery, and the cavity contains a sleeve which is made of electrically conductive material and which is open to the rear and can be closed from the rear by a cover.
 21. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck; and electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections, wherein the motorized vibratory device includes mechanical and electrical components, wherein at least a portion of the mechanical and electrical components form a unit which is encapsulated within an injection molded first material and which is further at least partially encapsulated in an injection molded second material.
 22. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck; electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections, wherein the motorized vibratory device includes mechanical and electrical components, wherein at least a portion of the mechanical and electrical components form a unit which is received between two separately produced toothbrush parts which are connected to one another in a water-tight manner.
 23. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle including a cavity configured to accommodate an electric power source; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck; electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections; and a switch operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical vibratory device, wherein the cavity is open to the rear of the toothbrush handle and is closable from the rear by a cover, wherein the cover has a rotative connection to the handle that provides actuation of the switch.
 24. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle that includes a cavity configured to accommodate an exchangeable battery power source, the cavity containing a sleeve made up of electrically conductive material and being open to the rear and can be closed from the rear by a cover; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck; and electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the battery power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections.
 25. The toothbrush as recited in claim 24, wherein the exchangeable battery power source has two poles, in which one battery pole is electrically connectable to the drive via a spring contact and via lines leading from the spring contact to the drive, and the other battery pole is electrically connectable via a part of the cover, which is releasably connected to the handle, and a further line connected to the drive, a switch being provided in order to interrupt at least one of the two electrical connections.
 26. The toothbrush as recited in claim 24, wherein the switch is located in the handle and can be actuated from outside the handle.
 27. The toothbrush as recited in claim 24, wherein the cover has a rotative connection to the handle and the switch can be actuated by rotation of the cover.
 28. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck and having an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located; and electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections, wherein the motorized vibratory device has a diameter of less than 6 mm.
 29. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle including a cavity configured to receive a battery and being open to the exterior of the handle, and a cover by which the cavity can be closed; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the bristle-carrying head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device located in the neck, the vibratory device including an eccentric vibratory element and a drive that causes the head to vibrate, the eccentric vibratory element having an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located; electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical motorized vibratory device and operably connectable to a battery in the cavity in the handle to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections; a switch in the handle operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the battery to the mechanical vibratory device; and an elastically compliant material located at least between the mechanical motorized vibratory device and the handle that dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.
 30. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive and an eccentric body which cause the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck, the drive having a shaft with an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located and the eccentric body being connected to the shaft of the drive for rotation about the axis; and electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections.
 31. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising: a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source; a bristle-carrying head; a neck between the handle and the head; a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck, and said drive having an axial length greater than its diameter; and electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. 